Classic on Tiger/Panther vs. Jaguar/Puma/Cheetah

[Jubadub]

Some while back, I had stumbled upon the claim that something fundamental changed in Classic when OS X transitioned from 10.2 Jaguar to 10.3 Panther, which was something about it becoming "double-buffered" or something to that effect.

I thought of asking here if there's anyone who knows more what exactly it is that changed in Classic then, and what implications those changes have. Is there some way we can visibly see the difference when running some specific Classic apps?

 

[Project Alice]

I don't know what exactly the difference is, but from what I've read; apps run under 10.2 and lower better than 10.3 and 10.4. I think 3D games that don't work well under Tiger and Panther work on 10.2 like it would natively on OS 9. 10.2 and earlier's classic mode uses the hardware more (better?) than 10.3+.

 

[Jubadub]

I tried running some apps under Classic today on Tiger to test some things out, but I noticed the apps don't have sound. Is this:
- A fault on my Classic setup's end?
- A post-Jaguar Classic fault specifically?
- A normal and unfixable fault in Classic in general?

If this can be fixed, suggestions are welcome. It's pretty much a fresh install on a separate, files-only partition.

 

[Project Alice]

I tried running some apps under Classic today on Tiger to test some things out, but I noticed the apps don't have sound. Is this:
- A fault on my Classic setup's end?
- A post-Jaguar Classic fault specifically?
- A normal and unfixable fault in Classic in general?

If this can be fixed, suggestions are welcome. It's pretty much a fresh install on a separate, files-only partition.

I've never had that happen. Which apps were these? Usually it's just weird anomalies that make apps not work correctly. Like 90% of apps I've ever used for classic (probably not a whole lot compared to the OS 9 die-hards as I try to avoid OS 9 like I avoid Windows for most cases) work perfectly in classic under Tiger. The few that don't, have still worked but just not as they were supposed. An example: the game Dues Ex. Ironically, macintosh garden actually put in the description that the game works with Tiger's classic mode as tested working perfectly. This was not the case for me. The game was sluggish but playable on Tiger on a 1.5Ghz 12" PowerBook G4 (The game requires a slow G3). Some of the buttons were not functioning for the game which in turn made it completely unplayable.
I installed the game on my TiBook and booted it into OS 9 and the game played absolutely perfect.

These are usually the types of problems people have with Classic mode, no sound could definitely be a symptom for one app, but it should not be like that for all apps. I would double check that OS 9 is installed correctly (and that the systems volume is turned up, as dumb as that sounds even the smartest people can be fooled by something so dumb; including my self more than once lol).
It couldn't hurt to reinstall OS 9, and make sure there isn't some extension causing the issue either.

 

[Jubadub]

Yeah, it's for all apps. I tested it with OS 9 demoscene demos and games, like Prince of Persia.

Volume was the first thing I checked: it's on and everything, and I even restarted my Quad with headphones plugged, but somehow the Sound prefpane does not give me volume control. It's shown as if disabled, which could very well be the cause of the issue, but every non-Classic app has perfectly working sound in all scenarios (headphones and built-in speakers).

Is there a way I can enable proper volume control for the G5? Resetting NVRAM/PRAM and whatnot did not get me around this issue. (Incidentally, the G5 has no boot chime, unless when it's the very first boot after a NVRAM/PRAM reset.)

I took it a step further, though, and inserted a USB audio connector, and plugged my headphones there instead. Now the Sound prefpane actually lets me adjust the volume for this interface, and it works just fine for everything I do, but, again, no sound with Classic apps.

 

[Jubadub]

I tried a few more things:

- Obtained a fresh new copy of the System Folder from os9general.dmg;
- Restarted Classic with Extensions turned off;
- Tried a copy of my Mac mini G4's System Folder.

None of them worked. I also tried selecting "Sound" from Classic's own Apple Menu Items, but it said that can't be run under Classic.

For now, I'm out of answers.